U.S. patent number 10,925,046 [Application Number 15/860,334] was granted by the patent office on 2021-02-16 for signaling indication for flexible new radio (nr) long term evolution (lte) coexistence.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. The grantee listed for this patent is Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kelvin Kar Kin Au, Jianglei Ma, Amine Maaref.
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United States Patent |
10,925,046 |
Maaref , et al. |
February 16, 2021 |
Signaling indication for flexible new radio (NR) long term
evolution (LTE) coexistence
Abstract
A New Radio (NR) control signal that indicates one or more Long
Term Evolution (LTE) network parameters may be transmitted to NR
UEs to enable the NR UEs to identify which resources carry LTE
signal(s). The NR UEs may then receive one or more NR downlink
signals over remaining resources in a set of resources without
processing those resources that carry LTE signal(s). The NR
downlink signals may have a zero power level, or otherwise be
blanked, over resources that carry the LTE signal(s).
Inventors: |
Maaref; Amine (Kanata,
CA), Au; Kelvin Kar Kin (Kanata, CA), Ma;
Jianglei (Ottawa, CA) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Shenzhen |
N/A |
CN |
|
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Assignee: |
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
(Shenzhen, CN)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005368792 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/860,334 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180192404 A1 |
Jul 5, 2018 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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62442852 |
Jan 5, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W
72/042 (20130101); H04L 5/0048 (20130101); H04L
5/0053 (20130101); H04W 72/0453 (20130101); H04L
5/0044 (20130101); H04L 5/0094 (20130101); H04W
72/1215 (20130101); H04W 88/06 (20130101); H04W
16/14 (20130101); H04W 74/006 (20130101); H04W
72/1289 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04W
72/04 (20090101); H04W 72/12 (20090101); H04L
5/00 (20060101); H04W 74/00 (20090101); H04W
16/14 (20090101); H04W 88/06 (20090101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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Nov 2015 |
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CN |
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105493426 |
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Apr 2016 |
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CN |
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106165488 |
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Nov 2016 |
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CN |
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106231637 |
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Dec 2016 |
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CN |
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2012501603 |
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Jan 2012 |
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JP |
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20160118905 |
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Oct 2016 |
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KR |
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2015009075 |
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Jan 2015 |
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WO |
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Other References
3GPP TSG RAN WG1 #85 R1-164020, "Co-existence of LTE and NR",
Samsung, May 23-27, 2016, 4 pages. cited by applicant .
3GPP TSG RAN WG1 Meeting #86 R1-166556, "Requirements and solutions
for LTE/NR coexistence", Intel Corporation, Aug. 22-26, 2016, 7
pages. cited by applicant .
Nokia Networks, "Discussion on co-existence study for NB-Iot", 3GPP
TSG-RAN WG4 Meeting #76bis, R4-155949. Oct. 12-16, 2015, 4 Pages,
Sophia Antipolis, France. cited by applicant .
Huawei et al., "Coexistence between NR and LTE", 3GPP TSG RAN WG1
Meeting #87, R1-1611681, Nov. 14-18, 2016. 6 pages, Reno, USA.
cited by applicant.
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Primary Examiner: Ambaye; Mewale A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Slater Matsil, LLP
Parent Case Text
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application 62/442,852 filed on Jan. 5, 2017 and entitled "Signal
Indication for Flexible New Radio (NR) Long Term Evolution (LTE)
Coexistence," which is incorporated herein by reference as if
reproduced in its entirety.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method comprising: receiving, by a User Equipment (UE), a New
Radio (NR) control signal indicating a Long Term Evolution (LTE)
network parameter; identifying, within a set of resources, a subset
of resources carrying LTE signal(s) based on the LTE network
parameter; and receiving, by the UE, an NR downlink signal over one
or more resources, excluding the subset of resources, in the set of
resources.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some resources that are allocated to the UE.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some control resource sets configured to the UE.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR downlink signal is rate
matched around the subset of resources carrying the LTE signal(s),
and wherein the NR downlink signal is rate matched at the resource
element (RE) level such that the subset of resources around which
the NR downlink signal is rate matched consists of an integer
number of resource elements (REs).
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal indicates
an LTE antenna port, wherein determining the subset of resources
carrying LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of
resources includes resources carrying LTE reference signal(s) based
on an LTE cell-specific reference signal (CRS) pattern associated
with the LTE antenna port.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal indicates a
frequency offset, wherein determining the subset of resources
carrying LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of
resources includes resources carrying LTE reference signal(s) based
on the frequency offset.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal indicates a
number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols
in an LTE control channel, wherein receiving the NR downlink signal
over the one or more resources in the subset of resources comprises
adjusting the start time for receiving an NR downlink signal for a
period of time corresponding to the number of OFDM symbols in the
LTE control channel.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal indicates
an LTE Multicast-Broadcast Single-Frequency Network (MBSFN)
configuration, wherein determining the subset of resources carrying
LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of resources
includes resources carrying LTE MBSFN reference signal(s) based on
the LTE MBSFN configuration.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal indicates
an LTE Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS)
configuration, and wherein determining the subset of resources
carrying LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of
resources includes resources carrying LTE CSI-RS signal(s) based on
the LTE CSI-RS configuration.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the NR downlink signal
comprises: receiving one or more NR downlink signal(s) over the one
or more resources, the one or more NR downlink signals having zero
power levels over the subset of resources carrying the LTE
signal(s), wherein the one or more NR downlink signals include an
NR signal transmitted over a Physical Downlink Shared Channel
(PDSCH), an NR control signal transmitted over a Physical Downlink
Control Channel (PDCCH), an NR primary or secondary synchronization
signal, an NR broadcast signal transmitted over an NR Physical
Broadcast Channel (PBCH), or a combination thereof.
11. A method comprising: receiving, by a User Equipment (UE), a New
Radio (NR) control signal indicating a Long Term Evolution (LTE)
network parameter; identifying, within a set of resources, a subset
of resources carrying, or otherwise reserved for, LTE signal(s)
based on the LTE network parameter; and transmitting, by the UE, an
NR uplink signal over one or more resources, excluding the subset
of resources, in the set of resources.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some resources that are allocated to the UE.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some resources configured for uplink control signals.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR uplink signal is rate
matched around the subset of resources carrying, or otherwise
reserved for, the LTE signal.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the subset of
resources carrying LTE signal(s) comprises: determining that at
least some resources in the subset of resources are reserved for
LTE Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions based on the LTE
network parameter in the NR control signal.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the subset of
resources carrying LTE signal(s) comprises: determining that at
least some resources in the subset of resources carry LTE sounding
reference signal (SRS) symbols based on the LTE network parameter
in the NR control signal.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the subset of
resources carrying LTE signal(s) comprises: determining that at
least some resources in the subset of resources carry LTE data
signal transmitted over an NR physical uplink channel (PUSCH) or an
NR control signal transmitted over an NR physical uplink control
channel (PUCCH) based on the LTE network parameter in the NR
control signal.
18. A User Equipment (UE) comprising: a processor; and a
non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming
for execution by the processor, the programming including
instructions to: receive a New Radio (NR) control signal indicating
a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network parameter; identify, within a
set of resources, a subset of resources carrying, or otherwise
reserved for, LTE signal(s) based on the LTE network parameter; and
transmit an NR uplink signal over one or more resources, excluding
the subset of resources, in the set of resources.
19. The UE of claim 18, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some resources that are allocated to the UE.
20. The UE of claim 18, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some resources configured for uplink control signals.
21. The UE of claim 18, wherein the NR uplink signal is rate
matched around the subset of resources carrying, or otherwise
reserved for, the LTE signal.
22. The UE of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the
subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s) include instructions to:
determine that at least some resources in the subset of resources
are reserved for LTE Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions
based on the LTE network parameter in the NR control signal.
23. The UE of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the
subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s) include instructions to:
determine that at least some resources in the subset of resources
carry LTE sounding reference signal (SRS) symbols based on the LTE
network parameter in the NR control signal.
24. The UE of claim 18, wherein the instructions to determine the
subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s) include instructions to:
determine that at least some resources in the subset of resources
carry LTE data signal transmitted over an NR physical uplink
channel (PUSCH) or an NR control signal transmitted over an NR
physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) based on the LTE network
parameter in the NR control signal.
25. A User Equipment (UE) comprising: a processor; and a
non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing programming
for execution by the processor, the programming including
instructions to: receive a New Radio (NR) control signal indicating
a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network parameter; identify, within a
set of resources, a subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s)
based on the LTE network parameter; and receive an NR downlink
signal over one or more resources, excluding the subset of
resources, in the set of resources.
26. The UE of claim 25, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some resources that are allocated to the UE.
27. The UE of claim 25, wherein the set of resources includes at
least some control resource sets configured to the UE.
28. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR downlink signal is rate
matched around the subset of resources carrying the LTE signal(s),
and wherein the NR downlink signal is rate matched at the resource
element (RE) level such that the subset of resources around which
the NR downlink signal is rate matched consists of an integer
number of resource elements (REs).
29. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal indicates an
LTE antenna port, wherein determining the subset of resources
carrying LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of
resources includes resources carrying LTE reference signal(s) based
on an LTE cell-specific reference signal (CRS) pattern associated
with the LTE antenna port.
30. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal indicates a
frequency offset, wherein determining the subset of resources
carrying LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of
resources includes resources carrying LTE reference signal(s) based
on the frequency offset.
31. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal indicates a
number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols
in an LTE control channel, wherein receiving the NR downlink signal
over the one or more resources in the subset of resources comprises
adjusting the start time for receiving an NR downlink signal for a
period of time corresponding to the number of OFDM symbols in the
LTE control channel.
32. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal indicates an
LTE Multicast-Broadcast Single-Frequency Network (MBSFN)
configuration, wherein determining the subset of resources carrying
LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of resources
includes resources carrying LTE MBSFN reference signal(s) based on
the LTE MBSFN configuration.
33. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal indicates an
LTE Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS)
configuration, and wherein determining the subset of resources
carrying LTE signal(s) comprises determining that the subset of
resources includes resources carrying LTE CSI-RS signal(s) based on
the LTE CSI-RS configuration.
34. The UE of claim 25, wherein the instructions to receive the NR
downlink signal include instructions to: receive one or more NR
downlink signal(s) over the one or more resources, the one or more
NR downlink signals having zero power levels over the subset of
resources carrying the LTE signal(s), wherein the one or more NR
downlink signals include an NR signal transmitted over a Physical
Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), an NR control signal transmitted
over a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), an NR primary or
secondary synchronization signal, an NR broadcast signal
transmitted over an NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), or a
combination thereof.
35. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal is received
over at least one of an NR downlink physical control channel and an
NR physical broadcast channel (PBCH).
36. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal is included
in remaining minimum system information (RMSI).
37. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal is received
via a higher-layer Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal, a Media
Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), or a combination
thereof.
38. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal is
received over at least one of an NR downlink physical control
channel and an NR physical broadcast channel (PBCH).
39. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal is
included in remaining minimum system information (RMSI).
40. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal is
received via a higher-layer Radio Resource Control (RRC) signal, a
Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), or a combination
thereof.
41. The method of claim 1, wherein the NR control signal indicates
a frequency offset for adjusting the frequency misalignment due to
different handling of DC subcarrier in NR and LTE.
42. The method of claim 32, wherein the NR control signal indicates
a frequency offset for adjusting the frequency misalignment due to
different handling of DC subcarrier in NR and LTE.
43. The UE of claim 39, wherein the NR control signal indicates a
frequency offset for adjusting the frequency misalignment due to
different handling of DC subcarrier in NR and LTE.
44. The UE of claim 25, wherein the NR control signal indicates a
frequency offset for adjusting the frequency misalignment due to
different handling of DC subcarrier in NR and LTE.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunications, and
in particular embodiments, to systems and methods for Signal
Indication for Flexible New Radio (NR) Long Term Evolution (LTE)
Coexistence.
BACKGROUND
New Radio (NR) is a proposed Fifth Generation (5G) wireless
telecommunication protocol that will offer unified connectivity for
smartphones, cars, utility meters, wearables and other wirelessly
enabled devices. 5G NR wireless networks may have the capability to
dynamically re-purpose unused bandwidth of Fourth Generation (4G)
Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless networks. In this way, NR and
LTE air interfaces may coexist over the same spectrum.
SUMMARY
Technical advantages are generally achieved, by embodiments of this
disclosure which describe techniques for a unifying message to
support Signal Indication for Flexible New Radio (NR) Long Term
Evolution (LTE) Coexistence.
In accordance with an embodiment, a method for receiving signals is
provided. In this embodiment, the method includes receiving a New
Radio (NR) control signal indicating a Long Term Evolution (LTE)
network parameter, determining, based on the LTE network parameter,
a subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s), and receiving an NR
downlink signal over one or more remaining resources in a set of
resources. In one example, the set of resources include resources
that are allocated to the UE. In the same example, or in another
example, the set of resources include control resource sets
configured to the UE. In any one of the preceding examples, or in
another example, the NR downlink signal is rate matched around the
subset of resources carrying the LTE signal(s). In any one of the
preceding examples, or in another example, the NR downlink signal
is rate matched at the resource element (RE) level such that the
subset of resources around which the NR downlink signal is rate
matched consists of an integer number of resource elements (REs).
In any one of the preceding examples, or in another example, the NR
control signal indicates an LTE antenna port. In such an example,
determining the subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s) may
include determining that the subset of resources includes resources
carrying LTE reference signal(s) based on an LTE cell-specific
reference signal (CRS) pattern associated with the LTE antenna
port. In any one of the preceding examples, or in another example,
the NR control signal indicates a frequency offset. In such an
example, determining the subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s)
may include determining that the subset of resources includes
resources carrying LTE reference signal(s) based on the frequency
offset. In any one of the preceding examples, or in another
example, the NR control signal indicates a number of Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols in an LTE control
channel. In such an example, receiving the NR downlink signal over
one or more remaining resources in the set of resources my include
adjusting the start time for receiving an NR downlink signal for a
period of time corresponding to the number of OFDM symbols in the
LTE control channel. In any one of the preceding examples, or in
another example, the NR control signal indicates an LTE
Multicast-Broadcast Single-Frequency Network (MBSFN) configuration.
In such an example, determining the subset of resources carrying
LTE signal(s) may include determining that the subset of resources
includes resources carrying LTE MBSFN reference signal(s) based on
the LTE MBSFN configuration. In any one of the preceding examples,
or in another example, the NR control signal indicates an LTE
Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) configuration.
In such an example, determining the subset of resources carrying
LTE signal(s) may include determining that the subset of resources
includes resources carrying LTE CSI-RS signal(s) based on the LTE
CSI-RS configuration. In any one of the preceding examples, or in
another example, receiving the NR downlink signal includes
receiving one or more NR downlink signal(s) over the one or more
remaining resources, where the one or more NR downlink signals have
zero power levels over the subset of resources carrying the LTE
signal(s). In such an example, the one or more NR downlink signals
may include an NR signal transmitted over a Physical Downlink
Shared Channel (PDSCH), an NR control signal transmitted over a
Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), an NR primary or
secondary synchronization signal, an NR broadcast signal
transmitted over an NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), or a
combination thereof. In any one of the preceding examples, or in
another example, the NR control signal is received over an NR
downlink physical control channel. In any one of the preceding
examples, or in another example, the NR control signal is received
over an NR physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In any one of the
preceding examples, or in another example, the NR control signal is
included in remaining minimum system information (RMSI). In any one
of the preceding examples, or in another example, the NR control
signal is conveyed by a higher-layer Radio Resource Control (RRC)
signal. In any one of the preceding examples, or in another
example, the NR control signal is conveyed by a Media Access
Control (MAC) control element (CE). In any one of the preceding
examples, or in another example, the NR control signal is conveyed
by a combination of higher-layer Radio Resource Control (RRC)
signal and a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE). An
apparatus for performing this method is also provided.
In accordance with another embodiment, a method of transmitting
signals is provided. In this embodiment, the method includes
receiving a New Radio (NR) control signal indicating a Long Term
Evolution (LTE) network parameter, determining, based on the LTE
network parameter, a subset of resources carrying, or otherwise
reserved for, LTE signal(s), and transmitting an NR uplink signal
over one or more remaining resources in a set of resources without
transmitting the NR uplink signal over the subset of resources
carrying, or otherwise reserved for, the LTE signal(s). In one
example, the set of resources are allocated to the UE. In the same
example, or in another example, the set of resources include
resources configured for uplink control signals. In any one of the
preceding examples, or in another example, the NR uplink signal is
rate matched around the subset of resources carrying, or otherwise
reserved for, the LTE signal. In any one of the preceding examples,
or in another example, determining the subset of resources carrying
LTE signal(s) may include determining that at least some resources
in the subset of resources are reserved for LTE Random Access
Channel (RACH) transmissions based on the LTE network parameter in
the NR control signal. In any one of the preceding examples, or in
another example, determining the subset of resources carrying LTE
signal(s) may include determining that at least some resources in
the subset of resources carry LTE sounding reference signal (SRS)
symbols based on the LTE network parameter in the NR control
signal. In any one of the preceding examples, or in another
example, determining the subset of resources carrying LTE signal(s)
may include determining that at least some resources in the subset
of resources carry LTE data signal transmitted over an NR physical
uplink channel (PUSCH) or an NR control signal transmitted over an
NR physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) based on the LTE network
parameter in the NR control signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, and the
advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment wireless communications
network;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a spectrum configured for the coexistence of
NR and LTE air interfaces;
FIGS. 3A-3C are diagrams of LTE reference signal patterns for
different LTE antenna port configurations;
FIG. 4 is a diagram of a spectrum configured for the coexistence of
air interfaces associated with two different network types;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment method for transmitting or
receiving an NR signal over LTE resources;
FIG. 6 is a diagram of another spectrum configured for the
coexistence of NR and LTE air interfaces;
FIG. 7 is a diagram of a spectrum in which different frequency
domain resources are allocated to NR and LTE air interfaces;
FIG. 8 is a diagram of a spectrum in which different time domain
resources are allocated to the NR and LTE air interfaces;
FIG. 9 is a diagram of another spectrum in which different time
domain resources are allocated to the NR and LTE air
interfaces;
FIG. 10 is a diagram of a spectrum in which different length TTIs
are used to transmit LTE and/or NR signals;
FIG. 11 is a diagram of another spectrum configured for the
coexistence of NR and LTE air interfaces;
FIG. 12 is a diagram of yet another spectrum configured for the
coexistence of NR and LTE air interfaces;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an embodiment processing system for
performing methods described herein; and
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a transceiver adapted to transmit and
receive signals over a telecommunications network according to
example embodiments described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
The structure, manufacture and use of embodiments are discussed in
detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that this
disclosure provides many applicable claimed concepts that can be
embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific
embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to
make and use the claimed concepts, and do not limit the claimed
concepts.
It should be appreciated that "LTE signal(s)" refers to any
signal(s)transmitted according to the LTE family of
telecommunication protocols, including (but not limited to) LTE
data signal(s) transmitted over an LTE physical downlink shared
channel (PDSCH) or LTE physical uplink shared channel (PU-SCH), LTE
control signal(s) transmitted over an LTE physical downlink control
channel (PDCCH) or LTE enhanced PDCCH (ePDCCH) or LTE physical
uplink control channel (PUCCH), and LTE reference signal(s) (e.g.,
channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), common
reference signal (CRS), demodulation reference symbols (DMRS),
primary and secondary synchronization signal(s), etc.), as well as
LTE signal(s) communicated over an LTE Physical Broadcast Channel
(PBCH), an LTE Radio Resource Control (RRC) higher layer protocol,
and/or an LTE Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE).
Likewise, "NR signal" refers to any signal transmitted according to
the NR family of telecommunication protocols, including (but not
limited to) NR data signal(s) transmitted over an NR PDSCH or NR
PUSCH, NR control signal(s) transmitted over an NR PDCCH, or NR
PUCCH, and NR reference signal(s), as well as other NR signal(s)
communicated over an NR PBCH, an NR RRC higher layer protocol,
and/or an NR MAC control element. As used herein, the term "NR
control signal" may refer to any control signal transmitted
according to the NR family of telecommunication protocols,
including (but not limited to) RRC signal(s), MAC control elements
(CEs), and downlink control information (DCI), control signal(s)
communicated over a PBCH, and remaining minimum system information
(RMSI), as well as any other cell-specific, group-specific, and/or
UE-specific control signal(s). An RMSI may include specific minimum
system information that is not transmitted in the PBCH. The RMSI
may be transmitted over a PDSCH. The PDSCH resources over which the
RMSI is transmitted may be identified by a DCI message transmitted
over a common search space in the PDCCH. The DCI message may be CRC
is masked by a common RNTI, such as a system information RNTI
(SI-RNTI). The term "LTE network parameter" refers to any control
or management information that can be used to identify which
resources carry LTE signal(s), including (but not limited to)
antenna port configuration, physical control channel format
indicator such as information carried in LTE PCFICH, frequency
shift or offset, LTE subframe configuration, MBSFN configuration,
CSI RS configuration, reference signal resource element location,
control channel resources, etc. It should be appreciated that the
terms "signal", "signal(s)", and "signals" are used interchangeably
throughout to refer to one or more signals, and that none of those
terms should be construed as referring to a single signal to the
exclusion of multiple signals, or to multiple signals to the
exclusion of a single signal, unless otherwise specified.
Downlink data channel resources of an LTE subframe may go unused
when LTE network capacity exceeds spectrum demand of LTE user
equipments (UEs), as may commonly occur in-between peak usage
periods of the LTE network. In some instances, 5G NR wireless
networks may dynamically allocate unused data channel resources of
an LTE subframe to 5G NR UEs. However, even when data channel
resources of an LTE subframe are not being used to carry LTE
signal(s), the LTE subframe may nevertheless carry control and
reference signal to LTE UEs. The LTE control and reference signal
may interfere with the reception of an NR downlink transmission by
NR UEs if the resources carrying the LTE control/reference signal
are processed by the NR UEs. However, the number of orthogonal
frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols in a physical
downlink control channel (PDCCH) in an LTE subframe, as well as the
resource element (RE) locations that are used to carry reference
signal(s) in the LTE subframe, vary depending on the LTE subframe
configuration. Accordingly, techniques for notifying NR UEs about
which resources carry LTE signal(s) are needed to achieve seamless
coexistence of the NR and LTE air interfaces.
Embodiments of this disclosure transmit NR control signal that
indicates one or more LTE network parameters to NR UEs to enable
the NR UEs to identify which resources carry LTE signal(s). The NR
UEs may then receive one or more NR downlink signal(s) or channels
over remaining resources in a set of resources. The set of
resources may include grant-based resources allocated to the UE
and/or grant-free resources which may be semi-statically configured
to the UE. The NR downlink signal(s) or channels may have a zero
power level, or otherwise be blanked, over resources that carry the
LTE signal(s). The NR downlink signal(s) may include NR data or
control channels, e.g. a NR Physical Downlink Shared Channel
(PDSCH), a NR Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), an NR
primary or secondary synchronization signal, a Physical Broadcast
Channel (PBCH), or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the NR
control signal indicates an LTE antenna port, and the NR UE
determines which resources carry LTE reference signal(s) based on
an LTE common reference signal (CRS) pattern associated with the
LTE antenna port. In such embodiments, the mapping of the LTE CRS
patterns to LTE antenna ports may be a priori information of the NR
UE. In another embodiment, the NR control signal indicates a
control channel format including a number of orthogonal frequency
division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols in an LTE subframe that are
used to carry LTE control channel, e.g. PDCCH. In such embodiments,
the NR UE may adjust a start time for processing an NR downlink
signal or channel for a period of time corresponding to the number
of OFDM symbols in the LTE control channel. The time offset for
adjusting the transmission time of the NR downlink signal can be
indicated in NR PDCCH. In another embodiment, the NR control signal
may indicate a frequency offset to adjust for frequency
misalignment due to different handling of DC subcarrier in NR and
LTE or to provide cell-specific interference randomization
benefits. In another embodiment, fractional PRBs may be used in NR
to address potential frequency misalignment due to different
handling of DC subcarriers in LTE and NR. In another embodiment,
the NR control signal indicates a number of orthogonal frequency
division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols that are occupied by LTE
reference signal(s). In such embodiments, the NR UE may skip the
symbols corresponding to the number of OFDM symbols in the LTE
symbols indicated by the NR control signal when processing an NR
downlink signal or transmitting a NR uplink signal. In another
embodiment, NR demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) is mapped to a
set of time-frequency resource elements (REs) that avoid LTE
reference signal(s). In yet another embodiment, the NR control
signal indicates a physical cell identifier (ID) of the base
station, and the UE may identify resources carrying LTE reference
signal based on a frequency offset associated with the physical
cell ID.
In yet another embodiment, the NR control signal indicates an LTE
Multicast-broadcast single-frequency network (MBSFN) configuration,
and the NR UE determines which resources carry LTE MBSFN reference
signal(s) based on the LTE MBSFN configuration. In such
embodiments, the mapping of resource elements to LTE MBSFN
reference signal(s) for different LTE MBSFN configurations may be a
priori information of the NR UE. In yet another embodiment, the NR
control signal indicates an LTE channel state information reference
signal (CSI-RS) configuration, and the NR UE determines which
resources carry LTE CSI-RS signal (e.g., non-zero power (NZP)
CSI-RS symbols) based on the LTE CSI-RS configuration. In such
embodiments, the mapping of resource elements to LTE CSI-RS
signal(s) for different LTE CSI-RS configurations may be a priori
information of the NR UE. The NR control signal may be NR layer one
(L1) signal (e.g., dynamic downlink control information (DCI) in an
NR downlink physical control channel). Alternatively, the NR
control signal that indicates the LTE parameter may be received
over an NR broadcast channel. As yet another alternative, the NR
control signal that indicates the LTE parameter may be received
over a higher-layer control channel, such as a UE-specific radio
resource control (RRC) signal or media access control (MAC) control
element.
It should be appreciated that NR control signal may be used to
notify NR UEs of uplink resources that carry LTE signal(s). For
example, an NR UE may receive an NR control signal indicating an
LTE parameter, determine resources that carry, or are otherwise
reserved for, LTE uplink signal(s) based on the LTE parameter, and
then transmit an NR uplink signal over one or more remaining
resources in a set of resources without transmitting the NR uplink
signal over those resources that carry the uplink LTE signal(s).
The NR control signal may identify resources reserved for LTE
Random Access Channel (RACH) uplink transmissions, LTE sounding
reference signal (SRS) symbols, physical uplink shared channel
(PUSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or combinations
thereof. These and other features are described in greater detail
below.
FIG. 1 is a network 100 for communicating data. The network 100
comprises a base station 110 having a coverage area 101, a
plurality of UEs 120, and a backhaul network 130. As shown, the
base station 110 establishes uplink (dashed line) and/or downlink
(dotted line) connections with the UEs 120, which serve to carry
data from the UEs 120 to the base station 110 and vice-versa. Data
carried over the uplink/downlink connections may include data
communicated between the UEs 120, as well as data communicated
to/from a remote-end (not shown) by way of the backhaul network
130. As used herein, the term "base station" refers to any
component (or collection of components) configured to provide
wireless access to a network, such as a base station (BS) or
transmit/receive point (TRP), a macro-cell, a femtocell, a Wi-Fi
access point (AP), or other wirelessly enabled devices. Base
stations may provide wireless access in accordance with one or more
wireless communication protocols, e.g., 5th generation new radio
(5G_NR), long term evolution (LTE), LTE advanced (LTE-A), High
Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, etc. As used
herein, the term "UE" refers to any component (or collection of
components) capable of establishing a wireless connection with a
base station, such as 4G or fifth generation (5G) LTE UE, a NR UE,
a mobile station (STA), and other wirelessly enabled devices. In
some embodiments, the network 100 may comprise various other
wireless devices, such as relays, low power nodes, etc.
Unused resources of a downlink LTE subframe can be re-allocated to
carry NR downlink signal/data to one or more NR UEs. FIG. 2 is a
diagram of a spectrum 200 configured for the coexistence of NR and
LTE air interfaces. A central portion 210 of the spectrum 200 is
licensed for LTE signal(s), and outer portions 220 of the spectrum
200 are statically allocated for NR signal. As shown, some
resources of the central portion 210 of the spectrum 200 are used
for LTE physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal and LTE
physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) signal. In this example,
sets of resources 215 of the central portion 210 of the spectrum
200 that are not used for LTE PDCCH or LTE PDSCH are dynamically
allocated for NR signal.
There may be resource elements (REs) within the sets of resources
215 that carry LTE reference signal. The RE locations within the
sets of resources 215 may vary based on an LTE common reference
signal (CRS) pattern associated with one or multiple antenna ports
used to transmit the LTE reference signal(s). FIGS. 3A-3C are
diagrams of RE locations used to carry LTE reference signal for
different antenna patterns. In some embodiments, NR synchronization
signal (SS) blocks 225 are communicated in the outer portions 220
of the spectrum 200. In particular, FIG. 3A is a diagram of an LTE
CRS pattern 310 for LTE antenna port #1, FIG. 3B is a diagram of an
LTE CRS pattern 320 for LTE antenna port #2, and FIG. 3C is a
diagram of an LTE CRS pattern 330 for LTE antenna port #4. It
should be appreciated that the LTE CRS patterns 310, 320, 330
represent a few examples of the possible LTE CRS patterns, and that
different LTE antenna ports (e.g., antenna port #0, antenna port
#3, antenna port #5, . . . antenna port #22, etc.) may be
associated with different CRS antenna patterns.
In some embodiments, NR UEs and/or NR access points may perform
rate matching in sets of resources 215 of the central portion 210
of the spectrum 200 that are dynamically allocated for NR signal to
compensate for resources that carry LTE control or reference
signal. Rate matching may be performed by increasing the coding
rate on remaining resources to compensate for blanking, or
otherwise not transmitting/receiving NR signal(s), over a subset of
resources that carry LTE signal(s). Moreover, the fact that
resources in the central portion 210 of the spectrum 200 are used
to carry NR data and/or control channels may be transparent to LTE
UEs.
Although much of this disclosure discusses embodiment techniques
that allow an NR UE to receive an NR downlink signal or channel
over unused resources of an LTE subframe, it should be appreciated
that those embodiment techniques can be adapted for use in other
types of networks as well. FIG. 4 is a diagram of a spectrum 400
configured for the coexistence of air interfaces associated with
two different network types. In particular, the spectrum 400
includes a central portion 410 and two outer portions, 420. The
outer portions 420 of the spectrum 400 are statically allocated for
downlink signal associated with a first network type. The central
portion 410 of the spectrum 400 is licensed for downlink signal of
a second network type that is different than the first network
type. Semi-static or dynamic resizing of the central portion of the
bandwidth associated with the second network type is also possible
in some embodiments. As shown, some resources of the central
portion 410 of the spectrum 400 are used for control signal of the
second network type, and other resources of the central portion 410
of the spectrum are used for data signal of the second network
type. In this example, sets of resources 415 of the central portion
410 of the spectrum 400 that are not used for data or control
signal of the second network type are dynamically allocated for
downlink signal of the first network type.
Similar to the NR/LTE specific embodiments discussed above, there
may be REs within the sets of resources 415 that carry reference
and/or control signal for the second network type. Those locations
of the resources within the sets of resources 415 that carry
reference signal of the second network type may vary based on a
network parameter associated with the second network type, and it
may be beneficial to notify UEs associated with the first network
type of this parameter so that they can avoid processing REs
carrying signal associated with the second network type when
receiving a downlink signal associated with the first network type.
In some embodiments, synchronization signal 425 for the second
network type is communicated in the outer portions 420 of the
spectrum 400. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment method 500 for
transmitting or receiving an NR signal over LTE resources, as may
be performed by a UE. At step 510, the UE receives NR control
signal indicating an LTE network parameter. At step 520, the UE
determines a subset of resources carrying, or otherwise reserved
for, LTE signal(s) based on the LTE network parameter. At step 530,
the UE transmits or receives an NR signal over one or more
remaining resources in a set of resources allocated to the UE
without transmitting the NR signal, or otherwise processing, the
subset of resources carrying, or otherwise reserved for, the LTE
signal(s).
In some embodiments, an LTE subframe will include an LTE enhanced
PDCCH (ePDCCH). The LTE ePDCCH may be similar to the LTE PDCCH,
except that the LTE PDCCH may be time division duplexed (TDD) with
the LTE PDSCH and the LTE ePDCCH may be frequency division duplexed
(FDD) with the LTE PDSCH. FIG. 6 is a diagram of a spectrum 600
configured for the coexistence of NR and LTE air interfaces.
Similar to FIG. 2, a central portion 610 of the spectrum 600 is
licensed for LTE signal(s), and outer portions 620 of the spectrum
600 are statically allocated for NR signal. In some embodiments the
size of the central portion of the band associated with LTE may be
statically, semi-statically or dynamically resized based on the
expected load of the LTE network. In this example, resources of the
central portion 610 of the spectrum 600 are used for LTE PDCCH
signal, LTE ePDCCH signal, and LTE PDSCH signal. Additionally, sets
of resources 615 of the central portion 610 of the spectrum 600
that are not used for LTE PDCCH, LTE ePDCCH, or LTE PDSCH signal
are dynamically allocated for NR signal.
In some embodiments, LTE resources and NR resources are multiplexed
in the frequency domain. In such embodiments, the spectrum
allocation for LTE/NR resources can be updated dynamically and/or
semi-statically. FIG. 7 is a diagram of a spectrum 700 in which
different frequency domain resources are allocated to the NR and
LTE air interfaces. As shown, the spectrum allocation for LTE and
NR air interfaces is updated at a first time interval (t.sub.1)
such that at least some frequency sub-bands are re-allocated from
the LTE air interface to the NR air interface. At a second time
interval (t.sub.2), those frequency sub-bands are allocated back to
the LTE air interface.
In other embodiments, LTE resources and NR resources are
multiplexed in the time domain. FIG. 8 is a diagram of a spectrum
800 in which different time domain resources are allocated to the
NR and LTE air interfaces. In this example, orthogonal frequency
division multiplexed (OFDM) symbols are semi-statically allocated
to the LTE and NR air interfaces. In other examples, OFDM symbols
are dynamically allocated to the LTE and NR air interfaces. FIG. 9
is a diagram of a spectrum 900 in which different time domain
resources are allocated to the NR and LTE air interfaces. In this
example, OFDM symbols are dynamically allocated to the LTE and NR
air interfaces on a symbol-by-symbol basis.
In some embodiments, different length time transmission intervals
(TTIs) are used to transmit LTE and/or NR signal(s). FIG. 10 is a
diagram of a spectrum 1000 in which different length TTIs are used
to transmit LTE and/or NR signal(s). In this example, a long TTI is
used to transmit signal over a portion 1010 of the spectrum 1000, a
medium TTI is used to transmit signal over a portion 1020 of the
spectrum 1000, and a short TTI is used to transmit signal over a
portion 1030 of the spectrum 1000. The medium TTI may be the TTI
length used in legacy 4G LTE networks.
FIG. 11 is a diagram of a spectrum 1130 configured for the
coexistence of NR and LTE air interfaces. As shown, the spectrum
1130 is the summation of center frequencies 1110 licensed for LTE
signal(s) and outer frequencies 1120 licensed for NR signal. In
this example, the center frequencies 1110 and the outer frequencies
1120 are separated by the LTE receiver using a band-pass
filter.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of a spectrum 1230 configured for the
coexistence of NR and LTE air interfaces. As shown, the spectrum
1230 is the summation of center frequencies 1210 licensed for LTE
signal(s) and outer frequencies 1220 licensed for NR signal. In
this example, guard bands 1231, 1239 separate the center
frequencies 1210 from the outer frequencies 1120.
Co-existence with LTE can be transparent to NR UEs not scheduled
into the LTE region. Only NR UEs scheduled in the LTE regions need
to be signaled in order to avoid CRS signal(s). The NR UEs can also
take advantage of a flexible starting time of NR sub-frame in order
to avoid an LTE control region at the beginning of an LTE
sub-frame.
In some embodiments, NR networks may support software defined air
interfaces that can be dynamically tailored to support diverse
traffic types in order to balance latency and dynamic control
signal overhead. In some embodiments, NR and LTE air interfaces may
have intra-carrier coexistence such that the respective air
interfaces are used to transport data over the same carrier
frequency. The existence of the NR air interface may be transparent
to LTE UEs. In some embodiments, NR APs/UEs may perform rate
matching over resources in an LTE subframe that are dynamically
allocated for NR signal to avoid interference with LTE reference
and control signal.
FDM-based LTE/NR coexistence schemes may offer several benefits.
For example, FDM-based LTE/NR coexistence schemes may permit
flexible frequency-domain location of NR synchronization signal
(SS) blocks and flexible time-domain starting point of NR
sub-frames to avoid LTE control regions. One or multiple NR SS
blocks may carry primary synchronization signal (PSS) symbols,
secondary synchronization signal (SSS) symbols, and/or physical
broadcast channel (PBCH). When multiple beam directions are used,
multiple NR SS blocks that include SS bursts may be multiplexed
over a group of resources. Also, with LTE signal(s) confined to the
central portion of the spectrum, there may be little or no
interference between LTE reference signal and NR SS blocks.
Additional, FDM-based LTE/NR coexistence schemes may capitalize on
the self-contained properties of NR unified soft-AI design where
each part of the band can be flexibly configured with its own
parameters, e.g., NR signal can flexibly occupy any left-over
bandwidth not used by LTE, etc. Further, FDM-based LTE/NR
coexistence schemes may rely on F-OFDM waveforms, rather than guard
intervals and/or blanking of LTE signal(s). Additionally, FDM-based
LTE/NR coexistence schemes may be transparent to NR UEs that are
not scheduled in the central portion of the spectrum, e.g., the
portion of the spectrum licensed for LTE signal(s).
FIG. 13 illustrates a block diagram of an embodiment processing
system 1300 for performing methods described herein, which may be
installed in a host device. As shown, the processing system 1300
includes a processor 1304, a memory 1306, and interfaces 1310-1314,
which may (or may not) be arranged as shown in FIG. 33. The
processor 1304 may be any component or collection of components
adapted to perform computations and/or other processing related
tasks, and the memory 1306 may be any component or collection of
components adapted to store programming and/or instructions for
execution by the processor 1304. A means for configuring a context
for a UE may include processor 1304. In an embodiment, the memory
1306 includes a non-transitory computer readable medium. The
interfaces 1310, 1312, 1314 may be any component or collection of
components that allow the processing system 1300 to communicate
with other devices/components and/or a user. For example, one or
more of the interfaces 1310, 1312, 1314 may be adapted to
communicate data, control, or management messages from the
processor 1304 to applications installed on the host device and/or
a remote device. As another example, one or more of the interfaces
1310, 1312, 1314 may be adapted to allow a user or user device
(e.g., personal computer (PC), etc.) to interact/communicate with
the processing system 1300. The processing system 1300 may include
additional components not depicted in FIG. 13, such as long term
storage (e.g., non-volatile memory, etc.).
In some embodiments, the processing system 1300 is included in a
network device that is accessing, or part otherwise of, a
telecommunications network. In one example, the processing system
1300 is in a network-side device in a wireless or wireline
telecommunications network, such as a base station, a relay
station, a scheduler, a controller, a gateway, a router, an
applications server, or any other device in the telecommunications
network. In other embodiments, the processing system 1300 is in a
user-side device accessing a wireless or wireline
telecommunications network, such as a mobile station, a user
equipment (UE), a personal computer (PC), a tablet, a wearable
communications device (e.g., a smartwatch, etc.), or any other
device adapted to access a telecommunications network.
In some embodiments, one or more of the interfaces 1310, 1312, 1314
connects the processing system 1300 to a transceiver adapted to
transmit and receive signal over the telecommunications network.
FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of a transceiver 1400 adapted
to transmit and receive signal over a telecommunications network.
The transceiver 1400 may be installed in a host device. As shown,
the transceiver 1400 comprises a network-side interface 1402, a
coupler 1404, a transmitter 1406, a receiver 1408, a signal
processor 1410, and a device-side interface 1412. The network-side
interface 1402 may include any component or collection of
components adapted to transmit or receive signal over a wireless or
wireline telecommunications network. The network-side interface
1402 may also include any component or collection of components
adapted to transmit or receive signal over a short-range interface.
The network-side interface 1402 may also include any component or
collection of components adapted to transmit or receive signal over
a Uu interface. The coupler 1404 may include any component or
collection of components adapted for bi-directional communication
over the network-side interface 1402. The transmitter 1406 may
include any component or collection of components (e.g.,
up-converter, power amplifier, etc.) adapted to convert a baseband
signal into a modulated carrier signal suitable for transmission
over the network-side interface 1402. A means for transmitting an
initial message of an access procedure may include transmitter
1406. The receiver 1408 may include any component or collection of
components (e.g., down-converter, low noise amplifier, etc.)
adapted to convert a carrier signal received over the network-side
interface 1402 into a baseband signal. A means for receiving mobile
subscriber identifiers, initial downlink messages of access
procedures, and forwarded requests to connect to a network may
include receiver 1408.
The signal processor 1410 may include any component or collection
of components adapted to convert a baseband signal into a data
signal suitable for communication over the device-side interface(s)
1412, or vice-versa. The device-side interface(s) 1412 may include
any component or collection of components adapted to communicate
data signals between the signal processor 1410 and components
within the host device (e.g., the processing system 1300, local
area network (LAN) ports, etc.).
The transceiver 1400 may transmit and receive signal over any type
of communications medium. In some embodiments, the transceiver 1400
transmits and receives signals over a wireless medium. For example,
the transceiver 1400 may be a wireless transceiver adapted to
communicate in accordance with a wireless telecommunications
protocol, such as a cellular protocol (e.g., long-term evolution
(LTE), etc.), a wireless local area network (WLAN) protocol (e.g.,
Wi-Fi, etc.), or any other type of wireless protocol (e.g.,
Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), etc.). In such
embodiments, the network-side interface 1402 comprises one or more
antenna/radiating elements. For example, the network-side interface
1402 may include a single antenna, multiple separate antennas, or a
multi-antenna array configured for multi-layer communication, e.g.,
single input multiple output (SIMO), multiple input single output
(MISO), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), etc. In other
embodiments, the transceiver 1400 transmits and receives signals
over a wireline medium, e.g., twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable,
optical fiber, etc. Specific processing systems and/or transceivers
may utilize all of the components shown, or only a subset of the
components, and levels of integration may vary from device to
device.
Although the claimed concepts have been described with reference to
illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be
construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and
combinations of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other
embodiments, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon
reference to the description. It is therefore intended that the
appended claims encompass any such modifications or
embodiments.
* * * * *